Incontinence after prostate surgery and what to do about it

If you are leaking urine after prostate surgery, you are far from alone, and for most men it is temporary, with the right care. Incontinence after prostate surgery can happen because the operation can weaken the valve (sphincter) that keeps urine in the bladder, or the nerves that control it. Your pelvic floor muscles then have to do more of the work, which is why guidelines recommend offering pelvic floor muscle training soon after surgery.

Are pelvic floor exercises recommended after prostatectomy?

Yes. It is best to see a pelvic floor therapist like Taryn at Natura after giving yourself 6 weeks to heal after surgery.

How to do pelvic floor exercises after prostate surgery

Different exercises work for different people. Your therapist will assess what plan you should start on.

Pelvic floor therapy for men

Pelvic floor therapy is often thought of as care for women after childbirth, but men book it too, including before and after prostate surgery, for erectile dysfunction, and more.

A pelvic floor therapist checks whether you are contracting the right muscles, and whether they are weak, overly tight or poorly coordinated, then builds a program around what they find and adjusts it at follow-up visits.

An assessment usually includes a conversation about your symptoms and an internal exam through the rectum, which lets the therapist feel how the muscles work. It should always be explained first, and you can say no or ask to stop at any time. For a fuller picture, see what to expect at pelvic floor therapy.

Pelvic floor therapy at Natura

At Natura in Steinbach, pelvic floor therapy with Taryn Bloodworth, RNBN includes rehabilitation before and after prostate surgery. Taryn is a registered nurse with training in pelvic floor rehabilitation, and unlike many therapists, she is trained to work with men. Pelvic floor rehabilitation can be done by a few professions, with the training done after their base certification. Often pelvic floor therapy is provided by physiotherapists, and at Natura it is provided by a registered nurse.

• Visits: 50 minutes, $115 for the initial visit and for follow-ups.
• How often: varies by the person, commonly every two weeks at first, then monthly or less.
• Insurance: Natura doesn’t bill insurers directly. Check your coverage. See fees and insurance.

If you would like guidance on returning to general exercise after surgery, Natura’s clinical exercise physiologist, Lindsay Porter, CSEP-CEP, also sees people recovering from surgery.